Ruth Kennedy Myers

Ruth Kennedy Myers, Founder of Christmas in Newport Newport, RI ? Ruth Kennedy Myers, 95, of Village House 70 Harrison Avenue, Newport, formerly of 40 Division Street, Newport, RI, and Murfreesboro, NC, died peacefully September 23, 2006, at home. She was the wife of the late Jacob Christian Myers. Born in Raleigh, NC, on March 26, 1911, she was the daughter of the late Oscar Clement and Mary Dowell Kennedy.Mrs. Myers was a graduate of Salem Academy in Winston-Salem, NC and Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. She was a devoted Navy wife, her favorite station being Panama City, FL. From 1946-1966 they lived in Alexandria, VA where she sold real estate and was active in historic preservation.Ruth and her late husband Captain Jacob C. Myers Ret., moved to Newport in 1968. They were active members of Trinity Church in Newport and she sang in the choir and was a part of the bicentennial commision. They wintered in Newport and summered in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.In 1971 Ruth founded Christmas in Newport. Her goal was to glorify the season in non-commercial and charitable ways in a month long celebration. The community collaboration to use only clear bulbs in the electric candles in Newports windows was sparked by her childhood memories of real candles illuminating the windows of Moravian homes in her native North Carolina.In 1976 Ruth was honored as the ?Women of The Year? by the Womens Division of the Newport Chamber of Commerce. She was an active part of the National Trust for Historial Preservation, Chamber of Commerce, Newport Preservation Society of Newport County, Oldport Association, the Art Association, Newport Historical Society, Historic Hill Association, the DAR, the Naval Wives Club, the Murfreesboro Historical Association in Murfreesboro, NC, and the Old Town Civic Association in Alexandria, VA. She was a director of Operation Clapboard and of the Rhode Island Indepence Commemorative at Newport. She was honorary member of the Newport County Convention Visitors Bureau as an ambassador of Newport. Together, Ruth and her husband Jack restored 25 historic homes.The 25 historic homes were located along the Eastern Seaboard in places such as Newport, RI, Blue Bell, PA, Shadyside, MD, Alexandria, VA, Duane, VA, and Murfreesboro, NC. The many homes ranged from town houses and cottages to classic colonials and country estates. While all restorations present challenges, the most memorable was Swift Alley in Alexandria, VA. Ruth and Jack were looking to downsize their Alexandria property life. Ruth found a ?fish net drying barn? that was a part of the Lawrence Washington estate yes George?s brother Larry. To Ruth and Jack it showed great promise so they bought it! First there were no digit addresses available on Swift Alley as the ?barn? was neither a residence nor a business but they managed to get assigned. Second every brick wall needed work; if they tore them all down it would become a non buildable lot and they could not rebuild. Their solution was to go at it one wall at a time and fortunately they knew an outstanding brick mason. 1/2 Swift Alley was a shining example of their determination to acheive their goals of historic preservation, one of their greatest passions. Ruth is survived by a son Christian W. Myers of Barrington, RI, five grandchildren Christian W. Myers III and spouse Janet of Portsmouth, RI, Meredith M. LeBlanc and spouse Michael of Newport, RI, Lisa M. Ring and spouse Robert of Middletown, RI, Christopher M. Myers and spouse Diane of Portsmouth, and Jason P. Myers of Bristol, RI, five great grandchildren Erin E. Myers of Portsmouth, RI, Ian T. Coyne of Middletown, RI, Jonathan C. Myers of Portsmouth, RI, Julia L. Myers of Portsmouth, RI, and Olivia A. Myers of Portsmouth, RI, two neices Adianna Gabin of Pacifica, CA and Patsy Butler of Clear Lake, CA, and granddogs Abbey, Bailey, and Nicki.Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 27, 2006, at 1:30 p.m., in Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport. As a tribute from the Gabin and Butler families in California, Trinity?s bell will be rung in her honor.Burial will be in Trinity Cemetery in Portsmouth.Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, September 26, 2006, from 4-8 p.m. in the Hambly Funeral Home, ?Brick House?, 30 Red Cross Avenue, Newport. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christmas in Newport, P.O. Box 716, Newport, RI, 02840, or to Trinity Church, Queen Anne Square, Newport, RI, 02840.